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Monday, November 24, 2014

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE CHUCK HAGEL HAS BEEN FIRED BY PRESIDENT OBAMA

November 24, 2014

UPDATE 12:30PM: It has been reported by FNC that Secretary Hagel was in fact terminated by President Obama, regardless of what is being publicly stated. Senior White House Officials speaking anonymously told FoxNews.com that Obama's dissatisfaction with Hagel, as well as a desire to shake up the cabinet following the devastating midterm elections, played a role in the president seeking Hagel's ouster.

“Make no mistake, Secretary Hagel was fired,” a senior U.S. official with close knowledge of the situation told Fox News. This same official discounted Pentagon claims it was a mutual decision claiming President Obama has lost confidence in Hagel and that the White House had been planning to announce his exit for weeks.

“The president felt he had to fire someone. He fired the only Republican in his cabinet. Who is that going to piss off that he cares about?"

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will officially resign amid growing pressure from the Obama administration over his handling of several international crises, Fox News has confirmed.

Hagel, 68, is expected to meet with President Obama at the White House at 11 a.m.

Hagel, a Republican, is the first member of Obama’s team to step down following the sweeping midterm elections where Republicans took control over the Senate.

Hagel took office Feb.27, 2013.

A senior defense official said that Hagel submitted his resignation letter to Obama Monday morning and that the president accepted it. Hagel agreed to remain in office until his successor is confirmed by the Senate, the official said.

The official said both Hagel and Obama "determined that it was time for new leadership in the Pentagon," adding that they had been discussing the matter over a period of several weeks.

The president is not expected to nominate a new Pentagon chief Monday, according to one official.